The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-07-13

llre history OF your life. i learned il
while L was hunting your husband
down. l ask no sympathy. l have
done deliberate murder / do not
wish you to conceal the mode of my
escape. Fred Warner was your hus-
band. He would have returned to you
after time. | have made this ir
possible. You have neither home nor
friends. / have money. the accursed
stuff with which bought my wife. In
a short time l shall be hung for muir
der. l have no relations upon whom
TO bestow my wealth. 1t will all go to
strangers. Accept this packet, then;
and / cannot be but thankful for the
chance which has thrown you in my
way"
A packet dropped into Muriel War
ner's lap as these words were spoken.
The boat rocked slightly as the tall
figure sprang upon the shore, and then
she was alone in the darkness upon
the river.
After this she wandered about the
world, a woman whose life and feel
ings seemed benumbed for ever She
knew what had happened at Rocky
Hill, but she had no desire to return
there, and gaze upon the dead face of
her husband. She had no wish 10 re-
turn to the friends who had grown
cold when misfortune came upon her.
She knew that Ralph Resseguie had
made her a wealthy woman, but she
felt none of the scruples which she
once would have felt about accepting
his money.
She never spoke of that night in the
boat with any to whom she came in
contact.
She never heard whether Ralph
Resseguie was captured or not. She
never knew what became of his miser-
able wife.
Her past life seemed half-forgotten
dream, and she was only dimly con-
scious of the reality of anything.
At thirty-tive years of age, Muriel
Warner was a beautiful and cultured
woman. She had visited nearly all
the countries of the Old World. Ac-
quaintances she made, but never
friends, and these often wondered
when, in reply to their enquiries, she
would say:
Il never read newspaper. / never
write nor receive a letter"
But her time of awakening came,
and the one to stir the dormant emo
tions of her woman's heart was a
stranger, and man.
1t was at the Bahama Islands where
she first met Norman Van Ness.
He was forty years of age-a Her
cules in the fulness of his manhood,
and he seemed to be attracted
to love her from the very first
Her deep blue eyes soon grew to
watch for him, and became soft and
tender beneath the light in his dark
ones, and with the growth of her new
love many of the feelings of her youth
came back to her.
Father and mother, long forgotten,
became dear once more to her, and
often she caught herself thinking:
If he ever speaks, and if, after l
have told him all, we are ever married,
will get him to take me home to my
parents"
But he did not speak. Weeks grew
into months, and the longed-for love
words never came. Muriels heart
again began quivering with pain. She
knew not that its numbness had de-
parted for ever.
Sometimes she felt that she ought to
move onto get away from influences
which most likely would prove sadden-
ing to her-but she could not at once
bring herself to do this.
While she was debating the subject
in her mind the crisis came.
A storm had been sweeping over the
Bahamas, vessel was going to pieces
upon the reef. Muriel was out upon
hn cha
bright, and her cheeks rosy with ex-
citement. Her golden-brown hair had
been loosened by the driving wind,
and she was that rare but delicious
creature, woman beautiful when she
is mature.
Norman Van Ness was by her side,
and Muriel expressed wish to row
out near to the life-saving boats which
were battling with the waves and over
laden with human beings whom they
had rescued in half-drOwned state.
Let me be your boatman," pleaded
Van Ness, and Muriel could not re-
press her thoughts which whispered to
her of that long-forgotten night when
her husbands murderer had been her
boatman.
The strong man took his place at
the oars. Out over the waters they
rowed together, the dreadful past
rising so strong before the woman that
she had no thought of the man SO near
her.
.'Muriel," said he in q low voice,
'Muriel-Muriel, l love you, but /
have no right to say these words to
you. Muriel, have you never thought
that might be Ralph Resseguie?"
"Can it be?" she said slowly. 81
did not see your face by daylight, you
know"
Eyes. it is /, married man and a
murderer; but still l love you, Muriel. F"
''And love you," she said in a tone
of despair.
They were nearing the life-boats
now, and one of the crew shouted:
Ivan Ness, we cannot go back just
yet, and here are a man and woman
who need immediate attention, if they
are not already dead. We will put
them in your boat, and you can take
them ashore"
Ready hands laid the dripping bodies
in the bottom of the boat, and with
strong strokes and averted head,
Ralph Resseguie pulled for the shore.
When they were nearing land he
glanced for the first time at his burden.
MY God. my wifei" he cried.
''And Fred Warner" said Muriel
with thrill of relief and horror.
1t was true. Fred Warner had not
died, and the deed which had made
these two wanderers upon the face Of
the earth had been farce, after all.
The days of the guilty pair on earth
were numbered. Mabel Resseguie
never recovered consciousness. Fred
Warner lived few days-long enough
to ask the forgiveness of the two he
had wronged, and then expired.
Ralph Resseguie and Muriel Warner
were married, and returned to MuriePs
old home, where, in the sunshine of
happiness, the dark days of their lives
were forgotten.